Thanks Stuart. I spoke with GCRE earlier today and he is working with his team to look at some manufacturing options for both water rails. I'll keep you posted but I might be looking for some betaboyz support along the lines of the intended 'group buy' (albeit small numbers) rather than me just going it alone... otherwise I can see this being rather expensive!

Hi, It's been a long while since I've posted about this, and there was a misunderstanding between myself and GB Engineering. I was under the impression he was going to research it and get back to me (I sent him 3 different types of top water rails), he was under the impression I was going to chase up certain aspects of the design and get back to him. The upshot was that he skipped the 3 rails I sent to him, being under the impression I'd lost interest. The problems of doing business at a distance of 150 miles+.

However I have been speaking to some local Sheffield engineering firms, and need to take down examples for them to inspect and (hopefully) copy. Earlier on we were talking about having multiple options for the top rail - quite frankly I think that is madness. We need to agree on one variant and move forward with that. My preference would be the Volumex top rail, bit with the the extra outlet to the OS thermostat deleted, and use an in-head 'stat. If Guy is looking at remanufacture then that's all to the good, in my book. The more people that are working on a solution, the better.

There is one snag with the volumex style top rail with in head stat in that the extra coolant connection bypasses the in head stat......Mine has been modified before I realised the error, if I ever get the engine back in the car I'll find out if it's such a catastrophy or not

No problem and if concerned you just turn the heater off. I also have an in head VX top Rail.

Eric

Yes I realise it's kind of not a big deal but although I'm not sure that the greater makes any difference? The bypass is from head to to pipe is it not? Really just mentioned it as it may bother done people perhaps better to make both in head and standard stat variations